Tell USCIS to rescind the "2014 Lesson Plan" on Credible Fear. The "2014 Lesson Plan" is a training guide for asylum officers and immigration agents. It was issued hastily in February of 2014, without transparency. We suspect it was designed to encourage asylum officers to deny more cases and kick out genuine asylum seekers from the US. The "2014 Lesson Plan" misstates the laws that apply to asylum, and it is not in line with the US Supreme Court's interpretation of the law.

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We, a broad and diverse coalition of immigrants and advocates for immigrant, LGBTQ, and human rights, request an immediate rescission of the 2014 Lesson Plan on Credible Fear of Persecution and Torture Determinations (2014 Lesson Plan) issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on February 28, 2014.

Individuals who previously would have received positive determinations have, under the 2014 Lesson Plan and training, received negative determinations including some of the most vulnerable asylum seekers, such as LGBTQ survivors of persecution, and domestic violence survivors.

The 2014 Lesson Plan is misleading because its organization, formulation, and tone suggest a higher standard for making a positive credible fear determination than is appropriate under applicable law.

Thus, the Lesson Plan creates confusion by suggesting that a high possibility of success is required, which is inappropriate under the Supreme Court precedent.

With the 2014 Lesson Plan, DHS risks erroneously returning many asylum seekers to their countries of origin in violation of basic principles of refugee law.

I ask for integrity, protection, and care for asylum seekers in the United States.